Work Text:
Leliana had never been this nervous before. She'd faced an arch demon, even faced the End of the world according to the Inquisitor, but for the first time in years, she nearly faltered before sending a Raven. She felt bitter sweet when she got the same bird back with an affirmation and a date. It would be within the week that King Alistair would arrive at Skyhold, alone save for a small escort.
Leliana dealt in secrets. Secrets were power because they could be anything. A secret could be what wins a war, or a secret could be what would heal a broken heart. She wondered what the secret she held would keep, but it was a secret that didn't just pertain to the King of Ferelden.
"What brings to to the garden I wonder, Sister Nightingale," Morrigan said days later on the very day Alistair sent back, "Are you here to reminisce about our traveling days or perhaps another bout of gloating for the tailoring of my gown at the Winter palace?"
"Something close to the former," Leliana said stiffly, "Alistair is arriving soon."
Morrigan's posture straightened upon hearing his name, "What brings the King of Ferelden to Skyhold? Word travelled even to Orlais that he wasn't over fond of the Rebel Mages residence in Redcliffe."
"He is here to meet with Grand Enchanter Fiona, and I would like you and Kieran to be present."
Morrigan's eyes betrayed her quick mind, "What a web you have discovered, Leliana..." Morrigan stood, "I will collect Kieran. Where are they meeting?"
"In a room just up those stairs. The Main hall and gardens will be clear in a matter of moments...and thank you, Morrigan."
"Do not thank me yet," Morrigan said, "I may not be able to help you in this coming storm"
Storm was a good word to describe what lay on the Horizon for Leliana as she walked into the kitchens. She couldn't help but smile as a familiar man emerged from one of the tunnels her agents used to access Skyhold on their routes.
"Welcome to Skyhold, your majesty," Leliana said with a bow.
"Please, no need for formality Leliana, we're in my favorite place ever, the kitchens of a castle. I can almost smell the larder," Alistair joked approaching Leliana to give her a hug.
"thankk you for responding and arriving as quickly as you did," Leliana said in the hug, "I've cleared a room for us to meet. As I said in my letter it is a matter of great importance."
"Right, lead the way."
The pair ascending from the kitchens to the vacant main hall and finally the gardens area's second story. The storm was set to arrive once they entered the room. Leliana entered first and noted that Morrigan, Kieran, and Fiona were present. All of them stood when Alistair entered.
"I...oh Morrigan's here? The note only mentioned the Grand Enchanter, but you managed to get Morrigan to be here as well?"
"It is good to see you again, Alistair. The years have been kind to you," Morrigan said. "Tis not every day that the magical advisor to the Orlesian throne meet with the King of Ferelden."
"Well aren't you moving up in the world. Grand Enchanter, it's good to see you again, all things considered."
"You as well your majesty. I was surprised when Sister Nightingale said you wished to meet me here," Fiona said.
"I..She....She did? I could've sworn her letter mentioned that you asked to meet me here?" Alistair questioned as he looked to Leliana.
"The truth of the matter is that I asked you both to be here," Leliana breathed out. Nerves be damned, she would weather the storm.
"In a few short weeks, I will be named Divine. The Inquisitor has used her influence to support my candidacy and as such it will be my duty to guide southern Thedas in the name of the Maker. But that is not why I called you here.
"Grand Enchanter Fiona, you had an interesting conversation with the Inquisitor that left me with a few questions. You told her that you knew his and traveled with his father, King Maric. An innocent line to some, but having known Alistair and the issues of his family, something did not sit right with me. He had a sister who wasn't his sister, and if there's one thing I've come to learn about Grey Wardens it is that their secrets run as deep as the Thaigs themselves. According to Grey Warden reports, you traveled with King Maric in 9:10, you were then recalled to Weisshaupt, but not before making a small stop in Denerim, you were delayed. Why would you go to Denerim? Then I remembered, you said you wanted to know if Alistair was happy after your less than desirable meeting in Redcliffe. Then I saw answer. You're his mother."
A heavy silence hang in the room as 3 of the 5 people in the room processed the revelation. Fiona and Leliana didn't break eye contact or change their faces.
"If the Divine of all people knows my secret, then I must tell it truly," Fiona finally relented, turning to look at Alistair,"Leliana speak the truth. I am your mother. It is a cold comfort but I made him promise that he would tell everyone that your mother perished as it was better than having the world know you were Elf blooded, and Orlesian in Ferelden. I'm sure Loghain would've used that against you in the Landsmeet, but I am heartened he did not know."
"Just when I thought my life couldn't be affected by Politics anymore, even after I became King," Alistair said.
"So, Alistair, can we finally talk about your Mother, now that we know she is not deceased?" Morrigan smirked.
"Oh this old Conversation topic, please tell me you didn't invite Morrigan to this so she could rub it in, Leliana?" Alistair pinched the bridge of his nose.
"No, I invited Morrigan for Kieran. Since Fiona is your mother, that also makes her Kieran's grandmother."
Fiona looked at Alistair and then to Kieran, "I didn't know you had a son..."
"Yes well, the Royal bastard thing tends to run in the family," Alistair chuckled.
"Does the Queen know of your lover?"
"Twas just a night of pleasure and convenience for Alistair and I," Morrigan spoke up, "But I have raised Kieran knowing that his father was a good man who takes his safety seriously. He is kept from royal intrigues, though this boon of knowledge is appreciated, isn't it Kieran?"
"The Grand Enchanter has always been nice to me. Even before we knew we shared the Taint."
"This is all so much...and you just knew all of this?" Fiona asked Leliana.
"I almost didn't share this, but it is of too much import to leave locked away in a vault when I can do something to do good. I've learned that, both from the Hero of Ferelden, and the Inquisitor. One secret shared brings generations of a family together."
"I can't say I would've taken this news well in the Fifth Blight, but now I just feel terrible for how I reacted in Redcliffe. Knowing what I've learned about the Chantry, there was nothing you could've done to claim me as a mage," Alistair reached up and pulled something from inside his tunic, a pendant, "I don't suppose you recognize this?"
Fiona let out a gasp, "I don't believe it..." Fiona held the pendant to get a good look at it, "It looks almost new but...I wore this on the Journey Maric and I went. I thought I lost it...."
"Well It was left for me...and fixed by Arl Eamon after I broke it when he shipped me off the chantry...Returned to me by a dear friend when we saved Redcliffe. I really did have a part of you with me then."
"So it seems," Fiona smiled.
Leliana's heart was full from this exchange. She took a gamble and it seemed to pay off better than she expected. Alistair and Fiona were happy to know what the other was to them. They could be protected from political fallout until it wouldn't be necessary anymore. the Inquisitor was right, Leliana didn't need to abandon her soft heart. It was her soft heart that reformed the a branch of the Therin line.